Bengals looking at John Ross, wealth of others on punt returns

The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t kidding about finding a quality presence on punt returns in 2018.

Adam Jones is gone, leaving a void in the return game the Bengals would love to fill with an elite presence — perhaps even if that means throwing John Ross back there.

Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Ross is one of the names getting a shot there.

“[Alex] Erickson, Tyler Boyd, Giovani Bernard and John Ross will also receive a look at the spot,” Dehner wrote. “But it’s wide open. And that sets up for Phillips to have a rare instant opening for a fifth-rounder.”

As Dehner notes, the Bengals were subpar in this area last year. They returned 47 punts yet ranked near the middle of the pack with an average of 8.7 yards on returns.

Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons has plenty of options, at least. Erickson has flashed at times. Boyd could be key to the offense next year, but he could be a sleeper candidate to watch. Bernard could be used here without the coaching staff worrying too much thanks to the addition of Mark Walton as a capable runner. There’s also rookie Darius Phillips, who made most of his highlights in college as a returner.

It’s perhaps most interesting Ross gets a mention here. He’s one of the NFL’s fastest and most explosive players, so putting him back on returns could assure the offense good starting position. The counter, of course, is his injury history and how vital he is to the base offense.

No matter who wins out, one of the Bengals’ fiercest summer battles will be at returner, and it could end up having a major impact on the shape of the final roster.